Saudi's cabinet approved a decision to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

Saudi Arabia has recently made a landmark decision to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an intergovernmental organisation that was established in 2001 by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The SCO aims to promote cooperation and coordination among its member countries on various issues including security, economic development, and cultural exchange. Saudi Arabia's decision to join the SCO is expected to have significant implications for the region and beyond.

The decision by the Saudi cabinet to join the SCO reflects the kingdom's desire to strengthen its ties with its neighbours in Central Asia and to play a more active role in regional affairs. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its foreign relations and reduce its reliance on the United States and other Western powers. Joining the SCO will provide the kingdom with a platform to engage more closely with China and Russia, two of the organisation's most influential members, and to expand its economic and diplomatic footprint in the region.

One of the key benefits of joining the SCO for Saudi Arabia is the potential to deepen its economic ties with other member countries. The organization is home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies, including China, India, and Russia, and offers significant opportunities for trade and investment. Saudi Arabia's participation in the SCO is expected to lead to increased cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, and technology, which could help to boost economic growth and diversify the kingdom's economy.

In addition to economic benefits, joining the SCO is also expected to enhance Saudi Arabia's security and strategic interests. The organisation has a strong focus on security and counter-terrorism cooperation, which is of particular importance to the kingdom given its ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and extremism. By working more closely with other member countries, Saudi Arabia will be better positioned to address these and other security challenges facing the region.

Furthermore, joining the SCO is likely to have broader geopolitical implications for Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. The kingdom's decision to join the organisation is seen by many as a signal of its growing alignment with China and Russia, two major powers that are increasingly challenging the traditional dominance of the United States in global affairs. This move is likely to be closely watched by other countries in the region, including the Gulf states and Iran, which will need to navigate the evolving dynamics of regional power in the years ahead.

Overall, Saudi Arabia's decision to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation represents a significant shift in the kingdom's foreign policy and is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the region and beyond. The move reflects the growing importance of Asia and the need for Saudi Arabia to diversify its foreign relations and reduce its reliance on the United States and other Western powers. By joining the SCO, Saudi Arabia will have an opportunity to deepen its economic and diplomatic ties with some of the world's fastest-growing economies, enhance its security and strategic interests, and play a more active role in shaping the future of the region.